Senator Flanagan Secures Funding For Nissequogue River Dredging Project

Senator John Flanagan (2nd Senate District) joined Bernadette Castro, Commissioner of the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historical Preservation, at the Governor Alfred E. Smith/Sunken Meadow State Park in King Park to announce the commitment of $500,000 for beach replenishment at the Long Island Sound waterfront park. State Parks and Senator Flanagan are contributing $250,000 each toward the sand restoration.

Suffolk County is undertaking the overall project to dredge the channel at the mouth of Nissequogue River and the initiative announced today will place the dredged material (sand) from the river onto the Sunken Meadow beachfront. Approximately 90,000 cubic yards of sand will be deposited.

Commissioner Bernadette Castro stated, "This is a remarkable gift from Senator Flanagan and builds on our successful partnership with his office to help safeguard Long Island’s waterfronts and environmentally sensitive areas. New York State Parks is pleased to match his generous grant as we help implement Governor Pataki’s vision for strengthening our outdoor resources while working at the state and local level to protect and preserve the shoreline at Sunken Meadow for future use."

Senator Flanagan stated "This is a great example of government officials working together at every level to benefit the people they represent. The newly planned dredging project will provide multiple benefits by increasing boating accessibility, improving river flow and protecting our coastline from the devastating effects of erosion. It is my pleasure to work with Commissioner Castro and officials from the state, county, town and village to secure additional funding to make this critically important dredging and beach replenishment project happen."

This dredging will begin in December 2006 and will be completed in early 2007. This is a partnership between Suffolk County and the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation. Sand placement on Governor Alfred E. Smith/Sunken Meadow State Park’s beach would not have been possible without a $250,000 grant from Senator Flanagan which will be matched by New York State Parks.

Dr. William Muller, a member of the New York State Fishing Advisory Board, stated, "This project not only benefits the swimming public, it also benefits the thousands of anglers who utilize this beachfront. This is one of the best fishing locations on Long Island."